Coronavirus

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIGHT THE CORONAVIRUS

CONTAINING THE CORONAVIRUS IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE.

As we are writing, there have been 9,692 cases reported worldwide and 213 deaths in China. You can do your little bit to help contain it!

This time the virus is suspected to have its origin at the Seafood Market in Wuhan where they sell fish as well as meats from other animals including bats and snakes.

The signs of infection are: fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Incubation can take up to 14 days.

WHAT YOU MUST DO Help prevent a coronavirus infection, do what you do to avoid the common cold: • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Avoid close contact with people who are infected.

The treatment is the same as for a cold: • Get plenty of rest. • Drink fluids. • Take over-the-counter medicine for a sore throat and fever. But don’t give aspirin to children or teens younger than 19; use ibuprofen or acetaminophen instead.

There is no medical cure against viruses but there is prevention, the best weapon available:

While a new “flu shot” is being studied and eventually made available to include this particular strain, China is locking out towns and cities to help prevent the spread.

Influenza vaccines, also known as flu shots or flu jabs, are vaccines that protect against infection by influenza viruses. Because the influenza virus changes rapidly, new versions of the vaccines are developed twice a year.

People aged 65 and over as well as babies and children are the most vulnerable. In the extreme cases, from fever the symptoms can extend to breathing difficulty, impaired liver and kidney function, kidney failure, severe cough and pneumonia. It is never too late to get the flu vaccine even if at present it it may be ineffective against this latest strain. In Spain there are a few different vaccines, but the most common is Mutagrip or Vaxigrip.

Getting yourself vaccinated may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

The vaccine may not work if you had been exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting jab or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated.

31 www.webexpressguide.com LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS ON OUR BLOG ONLINE AT FOOT OF ARTICLES The latest headlines: China’s National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei said the transmission ability of the new coronavirus is getting stronger and that the number of infections could continue to rise. Ma, speaking at a press briefing, also said authorities’ knowledge of the new virus is limited and that they are unclear on the risks posed by mutations of the virus